Associate Dean of School Culture & Community Experience | Middle School | BTWA MS

Elevate Charter Schools•Hamden, CT

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Booker T. Washington Academy Middle School (BTWA MS) seeks a passionate, equity-minded and relationship-driven Associate Dean of School Culture & Community Experience to join our leadership team and help strengthen the holistic student experience at one of Connecticut’s highest‑performing public charter middle schools. In this pivotal role, you will champion restorative, inclusive, and relationship‑centered approaches to student support, behavior management, and social‑emotional learning—ensuring every student feels safe, empowered, and accountable within a culture of high expectations, belonging, and academic excellence. As an Associate Dean of School Culture & Community Experience at BTWA MS, you will collaborate closely with teachers, families, the broader school leadership team, and community partners to sustain and elevate a school culture where students’ voices matter and where strong relationships drive strong outcomes. From leading daily culture systems and community‑building rituals to refining proactive supports and interventions, you will help ensure that every student experiences consistency, joy, and meaningful opportunities for growth. You will also play a key role in supporting teacher and staff development—empowering educators to create safe, focused, and affirming learning environments where students take intellectual risks, build character, and develop the habits needed for long‑term success. This is an opportunity for a steady, inspiring, student‑centered leader who thrives in a collaborative environment, embraces continuous learning, and is deeply committed to the success of all students. The ideal candidate brings strong cultural leadership, operational clarity, and a passion for helping young people grow into thoughtful, responsible, and resilient leaders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 3–5 years of youth development or school‑based experience with a strong track record of building positive culture and relationships.
At least 1–2 years of experience coaching or leading adults to improve student outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and manage restorative and behavior intervention systems.
Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Experience organizing schoolwide initiatives that promote a positive, inclusive school climate.
Ability to use data to assess, refine, and strengthen student support and culture systems.
Demonstrated experience and success differentiation supports for diverse learners, including multilingual learners (ELs) and students with IEPs
Deep alignment with the mission and values of Elevate Charter Schools and BTWA, including excellence, character, self‑discipline, responsibility, and educational uplift
Deep belief in our community and in the potential of every single scholar to learn, grow, and achieve at a high level.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field preferred.
At least 3 years of teaching experience with strong classroom culture and student outcomes.
At least 3 years of experience as a high‑impact school leader (Dean, AP, Culture Leader, etc.).
Valid CT teaching and/or school leadership certification or eligibility for reciprocity.
Specialized training in restorative practices, conflict intervention, PBIS, or SEL frameworks.
Prior experience in a charter, high‑performing urban, or turnaround school environment.
Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is highly preferred particularly to support meaningful partnership and accessibility with our students, families, and community (Spanish fluency is a strong plus).

Responsibilities

Implement and refine BTWA’s restorative accountability systems to promote ownership, growth, and ethical decision‑making.
Lead culturally responsive, equitable strategies for crisis and conflict management.
Maintain consistent, transparent communication with students and families regarding expectations, interventions, and supports.
Regularly solicit and integrate student feedback to strengthen school culture and student leadership.
Oversee SEL programming that builds resilience, self‑management, leadership, and personal accountability.
Support the development of student leadership pathways, peer mentoring, and community‑building initiatives.
Partner with counseling and student support teams to ensure coordinated, holistic services for students.
Maintain a visible, proactive presence throughout the school day to reinforce a joyful, structured, and inclusive culture.
Strengthen BTWA’s PBIS‑aligned systems for recognition, incentives, and proactive supports.
Lead school-wide rituals, assemblies, and community events that celebrate student success and reinforce shared values.
Support attendance initiatives, transitions, hallway culture, and arrival/dismissal systems to ensure safety and consistency.
Collaborate with teachers, students, and families to develop individualized behavior plans aligned with BTWA’s discipline and support systems.
Lead professional development sessions that equip teachers to build strong classroom culture and implement restorative practices.
Participate actively in instructional and culture leadership teams to address trends, share best practices, and support teacher growth.
Provide real‑time coaching and feedback to teachers on culture systems, student engagement, and relationship‑building.
Partner with the leadership team to ensure that culture systems directly support a rigorous, engaging academic program.
Collaborate with instructional leaders to align culture expectations with instructional priorities, ensuring classrooms are safe, focused, and conducive to learning.
Use qualitative and quantitative data to monitor and adjust student support programs, interventions, and disciplinary measures.
Ensure accurate record‑keeping and compliance with behavior intervention protocols, state regulations, and school policies.
Lead regular culture data reviews to inform continuous improvement and strengthen school-wide systems.
Coordinate logistics for culture‑related operations (e.g., lunch, recess, transitions, arrival/dismissal).
Strengthen and refine existing culture systems to ensure consistency, clarity, and alignment with BTWA’s mission and values.
Lead school-wide initiatives focused on SEL integration, restorative practices, and community engagement.
Support the implementation of new culture initiatives based on school needs, data trends, and student voice.
Serve as a key member of the school’s leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and school-wide decision‑making.